A closely watched French law that lets regulators force Apple Computer Inc. to make its iPod player and iTunes online store compatible with rival offerings went into effect yesterday.
The Internet copyright law passed France's parliament June 30 after fierce debate and a gradual weakening of its initial punch. Apple had called an early draft "state-sponsored piracy," and some analysts have said the law could force Apple to close iTunes France and pull its market-leading player from the country's shelves.

But the law was expected to have little immediate effect. A new government regulator assigned to monitor the law is not expected to be in place until this fall. Much will depend on the law's interpretation by the French courts, as well as the stance taken by recording companies.
The law was initially crafted to crack down on piracy and level the playing field for smaller rivals to companies such as Apple and Sony Corp. Apple argued opening its formats would encourage pirates.

Currently, songs bought on iTunes can be played only on iPods, and an iPod can't play downloads from other stores with similar premium content from major artists -- such as Napster Inc.'s service or Sony's Connect